Muslim leaders denounce persecution of Christians by ISIS

Leading voices in the Muslim world have denounced the persecution of Christians in Iraq, by Islamic State (formerly called ISIS).

Iyad Ameen Madani, the Secretary General for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which representing 57 countries, and 1.4 billion Muslims said in a statement that he officially denounced the "forced deportation under the threat of execution” of Christians, calling it a "crime that cannot be tolerated.” He also distanced Islam from the actions of the militant group known as ISIS, saying they "have nothing to do with Islam and its principles that call for justice, kindness, fairness, freedom of faith and coexistence.”

In Turkey, the spiritual successor to the caliphate under the Ottoman Empire, Mehmet Gormez said during a peace conference of Islamic scholars: "an entity that lacks legal justification has no authority to declare war against a political gathering, any country or community." He stressed that Muslims should not be hostile towards those with different views, values and beliefs.

"The statement made against Christians is truly awful. Islamic scholars need to focus on this (because) an inability to peacefully sustain other faiths and cultures heralds the collapse of a civilization."

He went on to say that Muslims should not be hostile towards "people with different views, values and beliefs, and regard them as enemies.”

Meanwhile this week, more than 100 British imams also came together to emphasise the importance of unity in the UK and to decree ISIS as an illegitimate, vicious group who do not represent Islam in any way.

"We are Muslims united against ISIS, against terrorism, against atrocity, against pain and suffering," they said.

See their filmed statement here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bd0Y6qWmlA">www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bd0Y6qWmlA www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bd0Y6qWmlA